Integrated Beer Keg Tap Assembly for Fast End-of-Keg Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5L party beer kegs face issues with slow dispensing when almost empty, beer spoilage due to rapid consumption, unprotected taps prone to damage, and complex handling of separate pressure and dispensing units.
Innovation Solution
A combined rod- or cylinder-shaped arrangement of pressure, control, and dispensing units within a one- or multi-part housing, allowing insertion through a single container opening, with a dispensing unit that moves from a transport to a working position, and a riser pipe designed for pressure-controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tap is located in the upper part of the beverage container with a pressure source, then dispensing speed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separate pressure unit and dispensing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure unit, control unit, and dispensing unit into a single integrated rod- or cylinder-shaped arrangement. This merging eliminates the complexity of handling separate units while maintaining the pressure-assisted dispensing functionality that ensures fast dispensing even when the container is nearly empty.
2Ease of operation
If the tap and operating mechanism remain outside the keg during transport, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing unit is nested within the rod- or cylinder-shaped arrangement during transport and storage, protected inside the container. During operation, it can be pulled out perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beer keg for dispensing, thus protecting the mechanism during transport while maintaining ease of operation during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for pressure and dispensing units, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to complex insertion and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pressure unit, control unit, and dispensing unit into a single integrated arrangement, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. The entire assembly can be inserted through a single opening in the lid of the beverage container, eliminating the need for multiple sealing operations and complex assembly procedures required by separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates simple handling, protects the dispensing mechanism from damage, prevents leaks, and ensures efficient dispensing even when almost empty, while maintaining a pressure-tight seal.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure source in the form of a carbon dioxide cartridge is located inside the container. When beer is dispensed, the pressure source automatically adjusts the pressure inside the keg so that it is sufficient until the very end of the dispensing process to pump the beer up the riser pipe to the tap.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a tap and control device for dispensing a liquid from a container (1), in particular a beverage container, preferably for dispensing a beer or a beer beverage from a beer keg, preferably a 5L party beer keg, comprising a rod- or cylinder-shaped assembly consisting of a pressure unit (6, 7), a control unit, and a tap unit (32, 35) which can preferably be inserted nearly flush into the container through an opening in the cap (2) of the container, wherein the pressure unit comprises a terminal cartridge housing (6) as a lower housing part, which contains a gas cartridge (7), preferably a CO2 cartridge, said cartridge housing being adjoined by a sealing housing (15) as a second housing part, in which most of the tap unit is arranged in its transport and storage position, the tap unit terminating the sealing housing (15) at the free end. A rising pipe (27) which is fluidically connected to the tap unit and is made of a rigid solid material, preferably plastic, extends, in the installed state in the container (1), from the sealing housing (15) over the cartridge housing (6) and beyond the cartridge housing and to the lower region in the container in the vicinity of or directly on the base, and the rising pipe (27) is equipped with a bending function below the cartridge housing (6), said bending function allowing defined bending of the rising pipe (27) when the device is inserted into the container or when the device is brought into a specified locking position and comes in contact with the base.